What does it take to serve up a traditional Thanksgiving dinner far from home? Hundreds of thousands of pounds of our favorite holiday foods.

No matter where they’re stationed, U.S. troops are getting a taste of home this Thanksgiving—thanks to the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA).

In one of its biggest annual missions, DLA Troop Support Subsistence out of Philadelphia made sure more than 380,000 pounds of turkey, ham, beef, shrimp, pies, eggnog, and other holiday favorites made it to troops overseas in time for the 2025 holiday.

“It’s the most significant event for morale—hands down,” said Robin Whaley, DLA’s chief of subsistence for customers outside the continental U.S. “Careful planning and coordination make sure every item arrives on time.”

Holiday orders are tricky—troop numbers shift, and no two menus are exactly alike.

“Holiday requirements are like fingerprints,” said John Sheehan, Subsistence Director of Customer Operations. “What one base needs can change from year to year, and we make sure every detail is covered.”

For the team behind the mission, it’s more than logistics—it’s pride. Army Master Sgt. Jose Montero said,

“Knowing we’re giving warfighters a connection to home… that’s what makes it meaningful. Our team works tirelessly to make sure every meal is ready and hot.”

Army Chief Warrant Officer 4 Shemika Harris added,

“This is my first time helping plan holiday meals, and I’m blown away by the effort. These meals mean more than food—they mean home.”

Here’s what’s headed to dining facilities overseas this Thanksgiving for troops:

• 152,626 lbs. of turkey (whole and roasted)
• 124,022 lbs. of beef
• 66,054 lbs. of ham
• 38,081 lbs. of shrimp
• 6,512 cans of sweet potatoes
• 15,282 cases of pies and cakes
• 792 cases of eggnog
• Plus plenty of other holiday treats

DLA Troop Support isn’t just about Thanksgiving—they supply more than $25 billion a year in food, gear, medicine, and other essentials.

Thanks to the hard work of DLA teams across Europe, Africa, and the Indo-Pacific, service members can enjoy a hot, hearty holiday meal—even thousands of miles from home.

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